BJP MP Giriraj singh has apologised for making a racist remark on the Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Sensing massive outrage against his comments, Giriraj said he was sorry for having “hurt either Sonia or Rahul Gandhi’s sentiments”. Watch Giriraj Singh’s apology here:
Giriraj Singh has knack of making insensitive comments. After stirring controversies in the past with his foot-in-mouth remarks, the Nawada MP once again hit headlines for his insensitive remarks. This time by taking a jibe at Congress President. The BJP leader reportedly asked whether the Congress would have accepted Sonia as party President if she wasn’t white-skinned.
If Rajiv Gandhi had married a Nigerian or if she (Sonia) wasn’t white skinned, would Congress accept her as a leader?
–Giriraj Singh, Union Minister
Many social media users and politicians termed the comments as downright racist. Congress leaders quickly went on Twitter to condemn what they called ‘sexist’ comments:
Others like Brinda Karat blamed PM Narendra Modi, saying his silence is encouraging such comments from his cabinet ministers.
He is a serial offender. The PM has a duty to publicly correct this situation. What is the PM’s Mann ki Baat on this? His silence reflects encouragement.
–Brinda Karat, Leader, CPI-M
Interestingly, Giriraj’s comments came shortly after another BJP leader and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told agitating nurses in Goa to not strike in the sun as it will make them “dark” and “ruin their marital prospects”.
BJP MP Giriraj Singh is also Minister of State for micro, small and medium enterprises in the Narendra Modi cabinet. He has embarrassed his party in past with his controversial remarks -
On Apr 9, 2014, during an election rally in Jharkhand, Giriraj Singh said those who oppose Modi from becoming PM “will have no place in India….will soon find their place in Pakistan”. Later that year on May 14, Giriraj Singh said “Why are all terrorists from one community?”.
Clearly, such comments by BJP leaders is giving the Opposition ammunition to corner the government and PM Modi.